CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Usually, finding a bug in your food means you would send it back to the kitchen, but these recipes use them as a main ingredient.
The U of I Extension Office is embracing the cicada invasion and sharing various ways to prepare cicadas as a tasty treat.
The recipes vary from Battered Cicadas with Spicy Lime Aioli, all the way to a Cicada Sundaes. There's even a recipe for cicada pizza!
In order to prepare your crunchy treat there are a few steps you'll need to take to properly clean cicadas before eating.
The recipes suggest placing the cicadas in the freezer before de-winging them. If you use the white looking cicadas, called teneral cicadas, the de-winging process is not necessary.
After de-winging the cicadas, they must be blanched for a minute in boiling water. This step will not only defrost the cicada, but it will also remove any unwanted dirt on their exterior, and kill any harmful pathogens found on and within the cicada.
View full recipes below:
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